CSPROJ File Extension - What Is A .csproj File And How Do I Open It?

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1. Visual Studio C# Project
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Visual Studio C# Project

Developer	Microsoft
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What is a CSPROJ file?

A CSPROJ file is a C# (C Sharp) programming project file created by Microsoft Visual Studio. It contains XML-formatted text that lists a project's included files and compilation options. Developers compile CSPROJ files using MSBuild (the Microsoft Build Engine).

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When developers create a new program in Microsoft Visual Studio, they start by creating a new project and associated project file. The project file contains information that MSBuild uses to compile the developer's project into an executable program. Specific types of Visual Studio projects use specific types of Visual Studio project files; C# projects use CSPROJ files.

CSPROJ files define a project's content, platform requirements, versioning information, and web server or database server settings. They also list the files that are part of the project. All this information is defined using MSBuild's XML schema, which use the following elements (among others):

• <Project>: Used to identify the project file's XML schema and specify entry points for the build process.
• <PropertyGroup>: Used to define build configuration properties.
• <ItemGroup>: Used to add inputs, such as source code files, into the build system.
• <Target>: Used to specify and execute build operations.

How do I use a CSPROJ file to build an application?

To build a C# application developed in Visual Studio, a developer invokes MSBuild.exe from the Windows command-line interface along with the name of their CSPROJ file. For example, to build a project named MyProject.csproj, a developer would enter the command MSBuild.exe MyProject.csproj in the command prompt, along with any other appropriate command-line options.

How to open a CSPROJ file

CSPROJ files are are meant to be opened and edited in Microsoft Visual Studio (Windows, Mac) as part of Visual Studio projects. However, because CSPROJ files are XML files, you can open and edit them in any text or source code editor.

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Programs that open or reference CSPROJ files

Sort Pricing Program Name Platform Reset X Windows Microsoft Visual Studio 2022Free+ JetBrains RiderFree Trial Mac Microsoft Visual Studio for Mac — DiscontinuedFree JetBrains RiderFree Trial Linux JetBrains RiderFree Trial

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PAGE CONTENTS

1. Visual Studio C# Project
   • More Information
   • How to Open
   • Program List